Malaria, Other Diseases Main Causes of Illness Among Children, Pregnant Women in Sudanese State, Physician Says

Malaria, malnutrition and pneumonia are the main causes of illness affecting children and pregnant women in Sudan's Upper Nile state, Tut Gony, a physician at Malakal Civil Hospital, said recently, Sudan Radio Service reports.

Gony attributed the high number of malaria cases to floods that occurred last year in southern Sudan and noted that malaria is common among children younger than age eight. Gony added that fewer malaria cases have been reported compared with last year. John Chol, a pediatrician at the hospital, added that many of the children who are admitted for malaria also are severely malnourished and noted that malnutrition is a "very big problem" in the country (Sudan Radio Service, 1/8).